VOLUNTEER CORNER
October 2007
Thanks! Thanks! Thanks to all the churches, organizations and individuals who have cooked and served dinners for Grace Urban Ministries in the past year and a half. I am delighted with the responses I always get when I ask for help.
We had a wonderful Thank You Dessert on September 9th (look for pictures under the Photos section). It's a joy for me to say thank you for helping this neighborhood. One evening, eleven children came for dinner. They ranged in ages from 8 years to 11 years old. the "adult" with them was 18 years old. Of course, they were all fed dinner and left with a book to read in their homes. Many folks, young and old, eat and read beause you care.
Mary Martin,
Volunteer Coordinator
Revmarym@rochester.rr.com
July 2007
Vacation Bible School at Greece United Methodist Church was held in the style of the "old West" last week and the children were challenged by Volunteer Coordinator, Mary Martin. She asked them to bring a favorite used or new book and a favorite piece of outgrown clothing for the children of Grace Urban Ministries. The children responded in an overwhelming fashion bringing in more than 474 pieces of clothing and 510 books. WOW and THANKS! This will enable us to give out books and clothing to the children who need and want them. Rev. Martin also plans to read to children in the neighborhood at 2 PM every Tuesday.
Mary Martin,
Volunteer Coordinator
Revmarym@rochester.rr.com
March 2007
It is exciting to see so many people involved in Grace Urban Ministries in many and various ways. On March 2, 2007 seven youth and two adult women from Penfield UMC came to the Center and cleaned everything they could put their hands upon. It was part of the 30 Hour Famine and they were happy to help us Spring Clean our Center. They did a wonderful job, even the top of the ceiling fan was cleaned! Both church groups and individuals are stepping up to the plate quite literally. They are bringing in meals every Tuesday evening and these meals are delicious. I am excited that the following groups have made a commitment to serve on a regular basis, some every other month and some every third month. This is a great help to scheduling and makes my job even easier. Special thanks go to the following: Geneseo UMC, Penfield UMC, Rush UMC, East Rochester UMC, Allen's Hill UMC, Brockport UMC, Greece UMC, Fairport UMC, West Webster UMC,Canadice UMC, Heritage Christian Center, the Tyson Family and the Crane family as well as a sorority. If your group would like to be added to this list please give me a call at 359-3759 before April 25th. Spots for the summer are going fast! I am working on July, August and September right now. I have some ideas for some hot weather meals that could be lots of fun and provide good food for some needy people. Blessings on those who give of their time and food,
Mary Martin,
Volunteer Coordinator
Revmarym@rochester.rr.com
January 2007
I am excited about the way volunteers have responded to my call for dinners to be cooked and brought to the Center on a Tuesday evening. As of this moment we have people signed up to bring dinners through April. We still have a couple of open dates in May and have begun to work on dinners in June. It is wonderful to see people from all walks of life joining together to feed hungry folks. All I can say is a huge THANK YOU! I will continue to accept phone calls from groups or individuals who would like to bring a summer dinner to the Grace Urban Ministry Center. Please call 359-3759 for a date in June, July or August and think about meals for warm summer evenings. Watch this corner for a list of possible meals to bring as I am working on sample menus to make the job even easier and give variety to our meals. I appreciate all the winter clothing that churches have provided. Many hands and bodies are warm because you shared mittens, hats, scarves and warm coats with our folks. It is good to see someone come into the Center saying, "Look, I still have on my warm hat that you gave me." Also I’m thankful for the many personal items and Christmas ornaments that were given. Folks took the ornaments home and it helped brighten their holidays. Personal items are always needed since we know that people cannot buy toilet paper, toothpaste or feminine products with food stamps. Thanks to the Greece UMC for money to buy those items. Our clients know that I will buy them toilet paper. I discussed this at a program I gave at the Greece UMC and several women gave me money to do just that. Thank you all. Please continue to pray for our ministry in the Dewey Ave. area. If you would like me to give a program at any group you attend please call me and set up a time.
Mary E. Martin
Volunteer Coordinator
Revmarym@rochester.rr.com
November 2006
What a wonderful sight to see eight young boys eating dinner together last Tuesday evening, November 21 at our Annual Thanksgiving Dinner. They wer joking and sharing, smiling and laughing, coloring pictures after dinner and really enjoying themselves. A special thanks to Jaci Ayurende, our GEMS teacher, who helped them with transportation. Thanks to all the volunteers who brought turkeys, stuffing, potatoes and other vegetables. A special thanks to those who helped us serve and helped make this a very special day for so many people. We served over a hundred plates to many hungry folks. It was great to have help cleaning up also. We are so thankful for a wonderful day.
Mary E. Martin
Volunteer Coordinator
Revmarym@rochester.rr.com